The Association Between Death Anxiety and Ageism Among Nursing Students: The Influence of Terror Management Theory Defense Mechanisms

Ageism and death anxiety are still underrecognized and not well-examined among nursing students despite the high prevalence in nursing education and clinical practice. According to terror management theory (TMT), older adults are a potent reminder of mortality and disability, imposing a sense of death anxiety among nursing students who may exhibit ageist behaviors toward older adults in an attempt to control that sense of death anxiety. This study aims to examine the moderating effect of TMT defense mechanisms on the relationship between death anxiety and ageism among nursing students. This correlational, cross-sectional study used a convenience sample of 371 nursing students and validated tools. Self-esteem was found to be a significant moderator, with higher levels mitigating the impact of death anxiety on ageism. However, symbolic immortality and interpersonal relationships did not significantly moderate this relationship. Enhancing self-esteem among nursing students would reduce death anxiety and associated ageist behaviors.